Once while Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and the Sahaabah (radiyallahu anhum) were on a journey, there was a heavy downpour which caused them to be drenched. Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) hung his clothes on a nearby tree and lay down to rest beneath it. The Ghatfaan tribe who were till then enemies of Islam saw this to be an opportune moment to assassinate Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). Hence they challenged Du’thoor, a gallant young man, to accomplish this task. They said: “Muhammad is lying down all alone under that tree. All his companions are scattered about. Why don’t you finish him off?”
Grasping an exceptionally sharp sword, Du’thoor strode up to Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). He wielded the unsheathed sword before Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and arrogantly demanded: “O Muhammad! Tell me! Who will save you from my sword today?” Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) calmly responded: “Allah will protect me.” At this Jibreel (alaihis salaam) struck him with a severe punch to his chest and his sword flew out of his hand. Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) retrieved the sword and asked: “Now tell me, who will save you from me?” Du’thoor replied: “Nobody.” Du’thoor then embraced Islam, reciting the kalimah of shahaadah. He also pledged not to assemble forces against Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) handed his sword back to him. Du’thoor returned to his tribe and invited them to Islam. (Al Bidaayah wan Nihaayah, vol. 4 pg. 3)
Lesson: Allah Ta’ala alone is the protector. If Allah Ta’ala wishes to protect someone, nobody can harm him. Furthermore, what won the day? What removed the kufr from the heart of a person who set out to assassinate Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and opened the way for Imaan to enter? What expelled the hatred from his bosom and replaced it with love? FORGIVENESS and KINDNESS! When Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) pardoned him, in one moment there was a revolution in his heart. Let us also learn to forgive… and taste the sweetness that follows.